Chapter Twelve

"..." A chill swept over Li Chenjing from across the room, and his brows twitched.

"Come, come, Little Jing. Sit beside me. You've done so much for me; I want to reward you properly."

A Gold-threaded Sleeve waved before Li Chenjing's eyes, giving him a headache. "Please don't trouble yourself. I'm fine standing here."

"You aren't secretly blaming me for not promoting you from Dongxu Mansion into the palace this time, are you?" The emperor smiled brightly, unbothered by his refusal to come closer.

"...Not really."

"I knew Little Jing wasn't so petty. You understand me. We grew up together, and you should have been promoted long ago to serve at my side. But Dongxu Mansion is my life's work and my bargaining chip. How could I entrust the post of Chief Counselor to anyone else? You're the only one I trust."

"..." This fellow was getting more long-winded by the day.

"But speaking of which... does that Zhu Family Young Master please you so much? Did you have to be so impatient to claim him right there in the examination hall? We grew up together too, didn't we? How come I've never seen you interested in men?"

"...Was it fun having me watched?" I knew he wouldn't leave it at that. New Academy Students entering the mansion was too important a matter. Once his suspicions were aroused, how could he possibly leave it entirely to me?

The man in Gold-threaded Sleeves stroked his beloved consort in his arms. Little Jing had indeed realized he had sent someone to watch his every move. "Not bad. I just didn't expect such a clever test from you. You confessed your love to that young scholar because, if I had someone watching you, I wouldn't miss the chance to mock you. I'd be sure to ask about it. That was your thinking, wasn't it?"

"I only wanted to set your mind at ease."

"At ease? Because you won't compete with me for women? Or because you've lost all interest in women from now on? You've certainly gone to great lengths." It had only been an act for his benefit; there was no need to take it so far. The spy's report had stunned him for a moment. His solemn Grand Secretary Li had confessed his love to a young scholar just beginning his official career?

Heh... hehe. Was this the season for everyone to go into heat? Even the little female cat he kept had forgotten her dignity and, right under his nose, brought home a bastard from some stray tomcat.

Even with three thousand beauties in the Inner Palace, he could not count on a good night's sleep every night.

"Since Grand Secretary Li has worked so hard recruiting for Dongxu Mansion and cares for me so deeply, I shall reward you."

"..."

"Li Chenjing, Chief Counselor of Dongxu Mansion's Six Ministries, receive my decree. In recognition of the effort you've spent selecting talent for me, I bestow upon you a personal Study Attendant. You like that young scholar from the Zhu Household, don't you? From now on, he shall attend to you in all your daily affairs at Dongxu Mansion. What do you say?"

"..."

"Since we're speaking heart to heart, allow me one more word." The man in Gold-threaded Sleeves dropped his teasing expression and settled into the bearing of an emperor at work. Sitting straight, he lifted his chin and looked down at Li Chenjing. "Don't forget why I established the Six Ministries Student Council. And... you are mine."

The author has something to say:

=.= The replies are full of cries of despair, hahaha. This story really has dragged on forever~~ QAQ But I still haven't abandoned it, and I'm diligently writing away, so please stay with me until I finish! This story's framework is enormous—the biggest I've ever written QAQ So...

But keeping each other company is its own kind of happiness~~ QAQ Seeing all you Little Enchantresses who still haven't given up, I just want to say: thank goodness I haven't given up either!!

There'll be another update at eight tonight. I'm picking up the pace so everyone can get to part two sooner!

Chapter Twelve

"If I told someone, 'You are mine,' what would that mean?"

"You love her. Consultation fee: fifty coins."

Zhu Bafu tapped the end of her brush against the little bowl on the table without looking up, then went on writing furiously.

"What if he's a man? And so am I?"

"..."

Zhu Bafu's brush stopped. Frowning, she slowly raised her head. Before her stood a young master in splendid robes and a golden fur cloak, holding a cat that looked both languid and eminently punchable. He gazed down at her with a faint smile. When she stared up at him, his thin lips curved. "It's been days, Pig Kid. Did you miss me?"

"Piao... Young Master Piao!" Wasn't he the rich young master who had taken her to Spring Breeze House to meet the Courtesan?

"Piao?" His dark eyes blinked.

"No, I mean, a man being a flirt is fine. Perfectly fine..."

"How did you know my surname was Piao?" He tilted his head and smiled calmly.

"..." Piao? Young Master Piao? His surname really was Piao? He won!

At a roadside tea stall, Zhu Bafu pulled out a chair for Young Master Piao.

No one had cleared the greasy table. Several used Teacups sat scattered across it, and its surface shimmered with rainbow colors. Young Master Piao raised his brows awkwardly. The aloof, noble cat in his arms puffed up and meowed at her master in protest. A creature as refined as she was would hardly use a place this shabby as a latrine. How could she lower herself to sit here?

Zhu Bafu understood neither the cat's expression nor her meows. Ever hospitable, she swept the table with her sleeve and welcomed Young Master Piao as though they were in her own home. "Please, sit. Waiter, a pot of tea!"

"Coming! The cheapest tea dust, right?" The waiter carried over some Teacups and slapped them down haphazardly. He tipped the teapot, sending half the pale-yellow tea into the cups and half across the table. A few drops even splashed onto the cat's soft fur.

"Meow, meow, meow, meow..."

"Shh. Be good. Don't make a fuss."

"Oh? Young Master Piao, is your cat thirsty too? I've already decided to treat you to tea, so one more cup won't hurt. Waiter, bring another cup."